thompson



(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. THOMPSON.

GAME. No. 429,800. Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2;

G.. N. THOMPSON.

. GAME. No, 429,800. Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet a.

G. N. THOMPSON.

GAME.

No. 429,800. Patented June 10, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE N. THOMPSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEWV YORK.

GAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,800, dated June 10, 1890. Application filed December 16, 1889 $erial No.- 383,862. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE N. THOMPSON, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new Improvements in Games; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification,

. and represent, in

Figure 1, a perspective view of the table as in operation; Fig. 2, an under side view of the same; Fig. 3, a vertical section looking from the left of Fig. 2, and showing the parts in their normal position; 4, the same as Fig. 3, representing the spring as depressed and the depressing-cams just escaping therefrom; Fig. 5, a section at right angles to Fig. 4, showing the slide L with its operating-cam M; Fig. 6, an under side View of the table, representing the modification in the operating mechanism; Fig. 7, a vertical section of the same, looking from the left of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a further modification.

This invention relates to a game in which a horizontal table is employed, and which may be in the form of and practically is a target. With this table is combined a device which will throw a dart or object of similar character vertically upward from the table, and which descending will or should lodge at some point on the table. The table, being divided into spaces, indicates different values, and the count is made by the position in which the dart or object thrown rests upon the table; and the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claims.

A represents the table, which is preferably a fiat circular disk supported on suitable legs, its surface divided, and the spaces numbered, preferably, in a similar manner to that of a target. Centrally in the table is a vertical post B, supported in suitable bearings, and so as to be permitted a limited amount of vertical movement. This post extends above the table, and as here represented carries upon its upper end the image of a horse 0. Other images or figures may be substituted therefor, or the figure may beomitted. The post is also arranged to rotate in its bearings, the plane of rotation being horizontal, or substantially parallel with the plane of the table. Beneath the table is a spring D, (here represented as a flat spring secured to the under side of the table,) the free end being at the center and below the post, so that the post rests thereon. In a position transverse to the spring D is a horizontal shaft E, supported in suitable bearings upon the under side of the table, and which extends to the outside, where it is provided with a head F, by which the shaft may be rotated. The shaft stands som ewhat above the plane of the spring-D, and near its inner end it carries one or more cams G, (see Fig. 3,) which are adapted under the rotation of the shaft to operate upon the spring D, and so that by turning the shaft, as from the position seen in Fig. 3 to that seen in Fig. 4, one of the cams G will depress the spring D, as seen in Fig. 4, and thus depressing the spring permits the post 13 to descend, as also seen in Fig. 4. When the cam escapes from the end of the spring, the springis free to return, and its return being sudden imparts a quick upward movement to the post, returning it to its normal position, as seen in Fig.

H represents the dart or object to be thrown. It may represent a rider for the horse, or it may be of any desirable shape, and may rest upon the top of the post or on the back of the image. Preferably a stud Iis provided, and the dart is constructed with a corresponding recess in its lower end, so as to set loosely thereon, as seen in Fig. 3.

The tripping of the spring, as before described, gives a sudden quick rise to the post, and this sudden movement of the post gives an impulse to the dart suflioient to throw it from the post upward. The dart then descends, naturally turning the head downward,

and the head is preferably provided with a' In order to change the position of the post as much as possible to vary the throw of the dart, a rotative movement is imparted to the dart by means of a ratchet-wheel K on the lower end of the post. To operate this ratchet, a slide L is arranged at right angles to the shaft E, and the shaft is provided with cams M, which as the shaft rotates will work against a corresponding shoulder N on the slide L and force that slide outward against the power of a spring 0, as seen in broken lines, Fig. 2. As the cam M escapes from the shoulder N, the spring will force the slide I, to return. The slide L carries a pawl P, which in the movement of the slide in one direction will engage the ratchet and impart to it a corresponding movement, so that at each operation of the post one step in the rotation will be imparted thereto. This rotative device, however, may be omitted, and the post, being free to turn, maybe turned to different positions by hand.

lVhile I prefer to employ the revolving shaft E as a means for operating the spring D, the operating-shaft E may be arranged to slide longitudinally, as seen in Fig. 6. Under this arrangement a spring R is attached by one end to the table, as at S, and by the other to the slide, as at T, the tendency of the spring being to force the slide outward. Under this arrangement a spring-catch U is secured to the under side of the table, normally standing out of the plane of the spring D, as seen in. Fig. 6, but so that when the spring I) is depressed, as seen in Fig. 7, the catch U will spring in between the free end of the spring D and the table, as represented in broken lines, Fig. 6, so as to hold the spring in the depressed position, as seen in Fig. 7. The path of movement of the operating-shaft E is toward the catch U, and so that when the spring is held by the said catch, as in broken lines, Fig. (i, if the operatingshaft E be pressed inward, as shown in broken lines, it will push the catch K from the spring I), and so as to permit that spring to return.

The spring D is depressed by pressing down upon the post B, and so pressed down the springis automatically caught. The post then remains in the down position, as represented in Fig. 7. Instantly upon the disengagement of the catch U from the spring D the spring returns, as in broken lines, Fig. 7, imparting the impulse to the dart or object, as before described.

In Fig. 0 I represent the ratchet K, as before; but under the arrangement of this modification the pawl P is attached directly to the shaft E, so as to partake of its longitudinal movement, and undersuch longitudinal movement impart the rotative movement to the post. Under this modification the spring will be held in the depressed position so long as the catch remains. In some cases this is desirable. The spring may, however, be depressed by the longitudinal movement of the shaft E, as represented in Fig. 8, the end of the shaft being inclined, so as to pass in over the top of the spring like a wedge, and so as to depress the spring as the shaft moves inward, as indicated in broken lines, Fig. 8. As the shaft returns under the action of its spring, the spring D will return and impart the impulse, as before described.

It will be understood that the table is best made of a soft material, which will permit the point of the dart or article to penetrate suliiciently to positively retain the dart or obj ect wherever it strikes; but the point may be omitted, the object simply falling upon the table and coming to rest thereon, such position of rest indicating the count to be made.

In the preferred construction here shown, which is that having the rotatable shaft carrying the spring, depressing and releasing cams G for engaging the spring D, it will be seen that both the depression and the release of the spring is accomplished by the action or continuous revolution of the said cams. Thus with this construction it is not necessary to push the post down by hand; but its depression is automatic as well as its release, the cam Gin its revolution first engaging the springanddepressingit,andthenbyits further rotation slipping off therefrom to liberate it. Thus the post is successively depressed and projected upward as the shaft is turned by means of its operating-head F, and the dart may be thrown in rapid succession, 01' as fast as it can be placed upon the vertical stud I on the upper end of the post. This action renders the projection of the dart extremely easy and insures the utmost convenience, simplicity, and certainty in the practical operation of the device.

I therefore claim-- 1. The combination of a table, a verticallymovable central post guided in the table, a vertically-acting spring supporting the said post, and a rotating shaft arranged to turn in suitable bearings beneath the table and carryin g one or more cams or radial arms adapted as the shaft is revolved to first depress the said spring and post, and then by further rotation to release the same to permit the return of the spring and corresponding upward throwof the post by the impulse of the spring, whereby an object may be projected vertically from the upper end of the said post, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of a table having its surface divided into areas corresponding to different counts or values, a vertically-movable central post guided in the table, a vertically-acting spring supporting the said post, and a rotating shaft arranged to turn in suit able bearings beneath the table, having an operatin g head or handle and carrying one or more cams or rotating arms adapted as the shaft is revolved to first engage and depress the spring, and then by further revolution to disengage therefrom to project the said post upward, whereby by the simple turning of the shaft the post is successively depressed and projected upward to throw an object ver tically therefrom to descend 011 the said table, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of a table, a verticallymovable and rotatable central post guided in the table and provided with a vertical tenon on its upper end adapted to receive an object loosely fitted thereon, a spring supporting said post, an operating-shaft arranged to rotate in bearings beneath the table and provided with an arm or cam adapted in its rotation to successively depress and release the spring to throw the post upward and project the said object vertically therefrom a ratchet carried on the said post, a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet, and acam carried on the operating-shaft to actuate the ratchet Whereby the said post-is turned in its bearings through a part of a revolution at each projection or throw, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

at. The combination of a table A, vertical central post B, arranged for vertical movement through the table and also for rotative movement therein, a spring D, upon which said post rests, a shaft E, adapted to release said spring after depression, a ratchet K on said post, and a pawl P, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

GEORGE N. THOMPSON. Witnesses:

LELLIAN D. KELsEY, FRED. O. EARLE. 

